The Ruger Hawkeye Hunter is a bolt-action rifle chambered in .204 Ruger, built around a 24-inch cold hammer-forged barrel with 5R rifling. It weighs 8 lbs and measures 44 inches overall. The receiver is satin stainless and the stock is American walnut. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: Ruger Hawkeye Hunter 
• Caliber: .204 Ruger 
• Action: Bolt Action 
• Capacity: 5 Rounds (+1) 
• Barrel Length: 24 inches 
• Weight: 8 lbs 
• Overall Length: 44 inches 
• Finish: Satin Stainless Receiver with American Walnut Stock 
   

Detailed Features 

The 5R rifling reduces bullet deformation compared to traditional 4-groove patterns and can make cleaning easier. A Mauser-type controlled round feed handles extraction reliably, with a non-rotating extractor that maintains case control from feed to ejection. The three-position safety lets you lock the bolt, or load and unload with the safety still engaged. The polished walnut stock has rounded contours that hold up well during extended use, and the LC6 trigger has a smooth pull with a clean break.

The Hawkeye Hunter in .204 Ruger draws consistent praise for accuracy, particularly at the longer ranges where the caliber's flat trajectory matters. The walnut and stainless combination is genuinely popular; owners frequently comment that it looks better in person than in photos, and the build quality feels proportionate to the price.

The bolt action is smooth, and most users report positive experiences with the controlled round feed under field conditions. The LC6 trigger gets favorable marks for being usable out of the box, though some shooters with specific preferences still swap it out.

On the critical side, the 8-lb weight comes up regularly. It is not a problem for bench or stand hunting, but shooters who cover a lot of ground find it tiring over a full day. Pricing sits in the upper-mid tier, and a minority of buyers feel other rifles offer comparable performance at lower cost. Ruger's customer service gets mixed reviews, with most interactions described as satisfactory but with occasional reports of slow turnaround.